After the US Senate cast its vote on Wednesday to approve its country’s civil nuclear deal with New Delhi, many Indians have the promise that the lights will go on and stay on.

Across India, power supply is intermittent. Electricity supply is estimated to fall 15 per cent short at peak hours. Offices and houses have back-up generators and candles at the ready. Even in the centre of Delhi, the country’s capital, a heavy rainstorm last month knocked out the electricity supply.